Page 104 of Until He Confesses

"Yeah," I replied, suspecting that she had something to say.

"So… since we know what we are, do you have any business plans for the day?"

I looked at her, wondering if I had heard the question correctly.

"No," I replied. "Just a few casual meetings, but otherwise, I intended to use this trip to rest."

"Oh," she said and then turned around to search through her closet. It was very clear to me that she wanted to say something more or even make a request but was hesitating.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked, and she turned back to me, a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. I was incredibly surprised to see this.

"You're staying somewhere fancy, aren't you?" she asked.

"I don’t know whether it is or not but it sure is expensive. I’m staying at the Four Seasons."

Her eyes slightly widened.

“Oh, that's great. Their food is probably much better. I was going to go down… I mean, go through this area. I have an itinerary. There are a lot of little local breakfast spots here. Much more authentic than hotel food, I imagine. Though definitely more expensive.”

I watched her, wondering if I was misinterpreting her request.

"Are you asking me to join you for breakfast?" I asked, and she went still, and then she nodded.

"Yeah," she shrugged, and it took me summoning every ounce of reason I had left to stop myself from smiling.

"Sure," I said, beginning to button my pants. All I needed was a bit of cleanup and a quick hand run through my hair, and I was ready to leave.

She, on the other hand, took a bit longer. However, I didn't mind. I tried not to show it, but I enjoyed watching her get ready.

“I'll be quick,” she kept telling me as she found what to wear. After changing outfits twice, she grabbed her makeup bag and ran into the bathroom. I wished that I would be able to watch her, but I couldn't.

Eventually, she emerged with her hair dried and wavy, flowing all around her, and I truly couldn't take my eyes off her. She was casually dressed in a flowing, short, white sundress, and she just seemed so beautiful. Her eyes were filled with intensity and passion, a clear remembrance I had from the previous night. I wanted her all over again and it was a saddening fact that we had to leave the room. I looked forward to the relaxed morning I would be having with her, as it had been so long since I had one of those.

She got the directions to the most recommended breakfast place from her notes, and we headed there, walking through the cobblestone streets of the magnificent city. She was all smiles as she looked around, her phone in hand, while I was content to take in the city I really wanted to watch her without making it too obvious. I absolutely loved how she approached everything as if she were a tourist until we arrived at the little cafe.

“I've heard we can even have lunch and dinner here,” she said as we walked in. “It's just so versatile.”

I looked around the space and nodded in approval. There wasn't anything too spectacular about the surroundings, but it did smell wonderful, and it wasn't crowded.

“Would you want to sit outside or inside?” she asked.

“Which do you prefer?” I sent the question back to her, and she took a look around.

“By the window is perfect,” she said. “We can still get a clear view of the outside but the warmth of the inside.”

I nodded in agreement, and soon we were seated, glancing at the menu. I didn't have much of an appetite, so I dropped the menu and looked around. The decor was interesting, with monochrome linoleum floors and glistening tiled walls and ceiling. Chandeliers hung in the corners, and the waiters wore dark aprons.

“Have you ever done something like this before?” she asked.

“I have,” I replied, “But not usually in a leisure capacity.”

“Meetings?” she asked, and I nodded. She returned her attention to the menu while I stared at her. What was new was sitting with her in a completely different country and having breakfast. It was so simple, yet it felt incredibly intimate, especially since her voice was lower, and she leaned in to speak to me. I loved every bit of it and made sure to take as many mental snapshots of the moment as I could. Boldly, I positioned the camera on her and took one shot, and she raised her head. She'd been nipping slightly on her finger in concentration, a habit that she still hadn't outgrown, and immediately, she was embarrassed about it.

“Hey,” she complained and tried to snatch the phone away from me, but I refused.

“I look terrible.”

“It's for my personal use,” I told her. “And you look just fine.”

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